In addition to being the most popular form of Tai Chi Chuan, Yang Style Tai Chi is the most diverse style of Tai Chi Chuan as well. It includes small frame forms with taller stances and subtle upper body movements like the Cheng Man ch'ing style, as well as large frame forms that have long low stances and large postures like Fu Zhongwen's style. There are even medium frame versions like Tung Ying-chieh's family style. Each style and lineage has it's own characteristics. As an example, click here to see a video of Chang Tsung Shen's Tai Chi form - one of the forms that is taught here at Lotus Dragon.

However, the common thread of all Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan is the energetic method of Peng or elastic energy functioning as the structure, in all its postures and techniques, through which effortless power is issued and the movement of healing chi is enhanced throughout the body. In fact, if one can maintain Peng energy while remaining relaxed and alert (or sung), Yang Cheng Fu's "Ten Important Principles of Tai Chi Chuan", the other thread common to Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, become dynmic and alive in your form and your applications.

These Ten Principles are:

1) Straighten the Head2) Correct Position of Chest and Back3) Relax the Waist4) Distinguish Solid and Empty5) Sink Shoulders and Elbows6) Using Mind Intention Instead Of Force7) Coordinate Upper and Lower Body8) Harmony Between Internal and External9) Continuity of Movement10) Tranquility in Mind, Body and Movement

At Sifu Dug's Lotus Dragon Tai Chi Chuan we try to expose our students to a comprehensive understanding of Yang Style Tai Chi, so in addition to the Traditional 108 Posture Long Form, we also teach the Cheng Man-ch'ing Short Form, Yang Style 24 Posture Short Form, Chang Tung Sheng's Tai Chi, Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi, Wu Po Tien Family Short forms, Two Person exercises like Push-hands and Ta lu, and several weapons forms. We hope that through studying these various versions and forms of Yang Style Tai Chi that you can discover and feel the threads that are not only universal to the Yang Style, but styles all of Tai Chi Chuan and other Internal Chinese Martial Arts as well.

Beginning Student Taiji Curriculum

1) Universal Post "Peng"2) I-Chuan Qigong3) Taiji-Walking4) Taiji Walking in Peng5) Form Postures6) Yang's 108 Posture Long Form7) Review Long Form8)Beginning Push Hands Exercises9) Tai Chi Short Forms, Sets and Weapons according to what Sifu Dug and you agree that you'll receive the most benefit from learning.